Quick change bed sheet set

ABSTRACT

A set of sheets includes an upper sheet with a top panel and a lower sheet with a bottom panel. In conjunction, the upper and lower sheets are sized, structured and configured to enclose a mattress. A waterproof panel is positioned between the upper sheet and the top of the mattress to protect the mattress from damaging exposure to moisture and liquids, including bodily fluids. In several embodiments, the upper sheet and waterproof panel are removable for washing and changing thereof while the lower sheet remains fitted to the mattress, thereby avoiding the need to lift or move the mattress when changing the sheets. The waterproof panel may be independently removable to selectively control air permeability of the sheets, and particularly the upper sheet. In a further embodiment, a minor waterproof panel is removably attachable in covering relation to a portion of the top surface of the upper sheet to protect the upper sheet and mattress from becoming soiled, and thereby extending the period of time between laundering and changing of the set of sheets.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending patentapplication Ser. No. 09/976,797 filed on Oct. 12, 2001, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to bed sheets that are adapted tofacilitate ease of changing and replacing the sheets on a mattress and,more particularly, to a bed sheet set having an upper sheet portion anda lower sheet portion which, in conjunction, enclose the mattress and,further, wherein a waterproof panel is positionable between the uppersheet and the top of the mattress.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0005] There are numerous combinations of bed sheets which are designedto provide a quick and easy way to change bed linen. Most notably, it isknown to provide a fitted sheet which is tailored to provide a tight,neat and wrinkle-free fit when secured to the mattress. The well knownfitted sheet design provides elastic material around the corner edges toallow the corner edges to contract on the underside of the mattress in amanner which secures the fitted sheet in place so that the top surfaceof the sheet is pulled tight and flat on the top sleeping side of themattress. When it is necessary to wash and change the sheets, the fittedsheet is fairly easy to remove from the mattress by pulling up on thecorners. Replacing the fitted sheet on the mattress, however, is knownto be problematic, especially if the sheet shrinks after washing anddrying. It is often difficult to stretch the fitted sheet over thecorners of the mattress in a manner which properly secures the elasticcorner edges of the fitted sheet under the mattress. And, even if thefitted sheet is properly secured to the mattress, the corners aresometimes dislodged by the forces of body movement when sleeping.

[0006] The problems associated with fitted mattress sheets, havingelastic corners, as described above, are of particular concern in thefield of baby linen for crib mattresses. Specifically, the need to tuckthe elastic edge corners of the fitted sheet around the underside of themattress requires lifting of a crib mattress out from the crib each timethe linens are changed. More importantly, fitted sheets can be easilydislodged from the mattress while an infant is in a crib. Oftentimes theperson changing the crib sheets fails to properly secure the elasticcorners of the sheet under the mattress, particularly if the fittedsheet shrinks from washing and does not fit easily over the mattresscorners. And, even when properly secured to the mattress, fitted cribsheets can be pulled loose by an infant. This is particularly worrisomedue to studies which have shown that many cases of Sudden Infant DeathSyndrome (SIDS) are a result of smothering due to loose linen, blanketsand/or pillows in a crib. For example, if the mattress sheet comesloose, there is danger of an infant becoming entangled or wrapped in thesheet when tossing and turning in the crib, which could possibly lead tosuffocation.

[0007] The need to frequently change and wash bed linens is especially aconcern with infants, small children and elderly bedridden individuals.Accordingly, in addition to the need for a quick and easy way to changebed linen, there is also a need, in many instances, for a linenaccessory which provides waterproof properties in order to protect themattress. With the aging of the population, there is an increasingnumber of people, both in institutions and at home, who spend much oftheir time bedridden. For many of these individuals, the bed is used forsleeping at night time and is also used for daily activities (e.g. phonecalls, reading, watching television, etc.) while the person is awake.When sleeping, it may be desirable to use a protective sheet havingwaterproof properties to guard against damaging the mattress at night.However, most waterproof sheets do not provide good airflow through thefabric and become hot and uncomfortable over a period of time. In theinstance an individual is confined to the bed during the day, it may bedesirable to remove the waterproof sheet in order to provide betterventilation and increased comfort.

[0008] In the past, others have proposed various bed linen arrangementsfor application to a mattress. For instance, Blake U.S. Pat. Nos.5,086,530 and 4,922,565 disclose a set of bed linen having a top panelthat is moisture proof and a bottom fitted sheet that extends partiallyunder a mattress to secure the bottom fitted sheet in the same manner asa conventional fitted sheet. The top panel and bottom sheet havecooperating fasteners that allow the top panel to be removed andreplaced from the mattress without disturbing the fitted sheet. The toppanel and bottom sheet do not enclose the mattress.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,677 to Reen et al. teaches a bed sheet in theform of a pouch with an open mouth. The pouch encloses a mattress. Thesheet has a flap which is folded to close the open mouth. The sheet andthe flap have cooperating fasteners to hold the flap in place.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,617 to Colby teaches a bottom bed sheetfolded about a mattress. The bed sheet has two end portions of waterpermeable textile attached on opposite sides of a moisture resistantcenter portion. The moisture resistant portion has a textile portionsuperimposed and fastened to the water resistant portion. The fastenersare releasable.

[0011] Accordingly, there remains an urgent need in the art of bed linenfor an improved bed sheet arrangement which provides for quick and easychanging of bed linen, while also providing a tight, neat, wrinkle-freeand secure fit of the sheets to the mattress. There is a further need inthe art for a bed sheet set which remains fitted and secured to themattress during use and which provides for selective use of a waterproofpanel to protect the underlying mattress from contact with moisture andliquids, including bodily fluids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is directed to a set of sheets including anupper sheet with a top panel and a lower sheet with a bottom panel. Inconjunction, the upper and lower sheets are sized, structured andconfigured to enclose a mattress. A waterproof panel is positionedbetween the upper sheet and the top of the mattress to protect themattress from damaging exposure to moisture and liquids, includingbodily fluids. In several embodiments, the upper sheet and waterproofpanel are removable for washing and changing thereof while the lowersheet remains fitted to the mattress, thereby avoiding the need to liftor move the mattress when changing the sheets. The waterproof panel maybe independently removable to selectively control air permeability ofthe sheets, and particularly the upper sheet. In a further embodiment, aminor waterproof panel is removably attachable in covering relation to aportion of the top surface of the upper sheet to protect the upper sheetand mattress from becoming soiled, and thereby extending the period oftime between laundering and changing of the set of sheets.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0013] With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a set of bed sheets structured and disposed topermit quick and easy changing of the bed linen without moving ordisturbing the mattress.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a setof bed sheets which may be used in a protective waterproof mode toprotect the mattress and a comfort mode wherein air is permitted topermeate between the mattress and top sheet covering the mattress.

[0015] It is still a further object of the present invention to providea set of bed sheets including a lower sheet which covers the bottom andsides of a mattress, an upper air-permeable sheet which releasablyfastens to the lower sheet so that the upper and lower sheets enclosethe mattress, and a less air-permeable waterproof panel which isselectively positionable between the upper sheet and the mattress.

[0016] It is still a further object of the present invention to providea set of bed sheets which provides for the discretionary removal of theupper sheet, with or without removal of the waterproof panel, withoutremoving the lower sheet from the mattress.

[0017] It is still a further object of the present invention to providea set of bed sheets which is particularly suited for use on a cribmattress and wherein the set of bed sheets includes an upper sheet and alower sheet which, in conjunction, enclose the crib mattress and remainsecured thereto during use, without being dislodged, and further whereinthe set of bed sheets includes a waterproof panel for selectivepositioning between the upper sheet and the top of the crib mattress.

[0018] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionare more readily apparent with reference to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the presentinvention, reference should be made to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

[0020]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the separablecomponents of the quick-change bed sheet set of the present invention inrelation to a mattress, in accordance with one preferred embodimentthereof;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing the quick-change bedsheet set of the embodiment of FIG. 1 secured to a mattress;

[0022]FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane indicatedby the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

[0023]FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the quick-change bed sheet set taken along the planeindicated by the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the quick-change bed sheet setof the present invention in accordance with yet a further embodimentthereof, wherein a minor panel is secured about the mattress in coveringrelation to a portion of the upper sheet and sides of the lower sheet ofthe bed sheet set;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane of the lineindicated as 5-5 in FIG. 4;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a top perspective view illustrating yet a furtherembodiment of the quick-change bed sheet set of the present inventionsecured to a mattress;

[0027]FIG. 7 is a top perspective view illustrating removal of the bedsheet set of FIG. 6 from the mattress; and

[0028]FIG. 8 is a top perspective view illustrating yet a furtherembodiment of the quick-change bed sheet set of the present inventionshown secured to a mattress.

[0029] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Referring to the several views of the drawings, severalembodiments of the bed sheet set of the present invention are shown,wherein the bed sheet set is generally indicated as 10. In each of theembodiments, the bed sheet set 10 includes a lower sheet 20 and an uppersheet 30 which, in conjunction, are structured to enclose a mattress 100having a top sleeping surface 102, a bottom side 104 and vertical sides106.

[0031] A first preferred embodiment of the bed sheet set 10 is shown inFIGS. 1-3 a, wherein the mattress 100 is partly encompassed by the lowersheet 20. The lower sheet 20 is preferably structured to include arectangular main bottom panel 21 and upstanding sidewalls 24 about theperiphery. The bottom panel 21 has an inner surface 22 and an outersurface 23. The juncture between the bottom panel 21 and side walls 24may be of conventional construction with seamed edges to facilitate asnug, uniform fit about the bottom 102 and sides 106 of the mattress100. The lower sheet 20 may be of a woven or knitted cotton or otherconventional threads or yarns with a thread count determining thesoftness and air permeability of the panel.

[0032] A fastener 25 extends about the peripheral zone 26 on thesidewalls 24 of the lower sheet 20. The location of the fastener 25 issuch that when the lower sheet 20 is fitted onto the mattress 100, thefastener 25 is disposed about the sides 106 of the mattress. Thefastener 25 may be of a series of cooperating fasteners, such asopposite sides of a zipper, cooperating button and buttonholes, male andfemale snaps, or hook and loop fabric such as VELCRO or releasablecohesive materials. The fasteners should be of materials that willwithstand numerous use and laundering cycles. In one preferredembodiment, the cooperating fasteners are defined by non-corrosivezippers which join the lower sheet 20 and upper sheet 30 about theirentire correspondingly positioned peripheral edge zones to completelyenclose the mattress 100 therein.

[0033] The upper sheet 30 is defined by an air-permeable main top panel31 having a top outer surface 32, an inner surface 34, and a peripheralextremity 35 to completely overly the top sleeping surface 102 of themattress 100. In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral extremity 35 ofthe upper sheet 30 extends partially down the sidewalls 106 of themattress, just below the top peripheral edge 108 with the inner surface34 facing the top sleeping surface 102 of the mattress 100.Alternatively, the upper sheet 30 may be sized to cover the top surface102 of the mattress only, with the peripheral extremity of the uppersheet aligned with the top edge 108 or positioned just inside the topedge 108 of the mattress 100. There is a first fastener 37 attached tothe peripheral edge zone 36 of the upper sheet 30. This fastener is thecooperating opposite part of the fastener 25 described above. A fly orflap 38 extends from the peripheral edge zone 36 to cover thecooperating fasteners 25, 37 of the lower and upper panels when thefasteners are attached. The upper sheet 30 may be of the same or similarmaterial as the lower sheet 20 with similar thread count and airpermeability. The threads or yarns may be natural or synthetic and,possibly, hydrophobic to increase the resistance of the panel topenetration of fluids.

[0034] The lower and upper sheets may be deployed, alone, during wakinghours, when a person using the bed may be capable of managing the bodilyfunctions. During this period, the air permeability of the bed sheet set10 is normal without excessive heat buildup. The exposure of the uppersheet 30 will dictate changing on a regular basis, for example everythree days or once a week. At such time, the cooperating fasteners 25,37 will be unfastened, thereby allowing the upper sheet 30 to be removedand laundered while the lower sheet 20 remains in place and undisturbed.

[0035] As seen in FIGS. 1-3 b, the bed sheet set 10 further includes amoisture proof major panel 40 adapted for positioning between the topsleeping surface 102 of the mattress 100 and the inner surface 34 of thetop panel 31. The moisture proof major panel 40 is sized, structured andconfigured to cover at least a portion of the area of the top sleepingsurface 102 and, in a preferred embodiment, the moisture proof majorpanel 40 covers the entire mattress top sleeping surface 102. The majorpanel 40 is structured to include an absorbent top side 42 and awaterproof underside 44. The absorbent top side 42 faces the innersurface 34 of the top panel 31 while the waterproof side 44 faces thetop surface 102 of the mattress.

[0036] In one embodiment, the moisture proof major panel 40 isselectively positionable between the upper sheet and the mattress 100and may be removed when desired to allow greater ventilation and toavoid excessive heat buildup. During sleeping hours, or when it isotherwise desired to protect the mattress, the major panel 40 can beinserted between the upper sheet 30 and mattress 100. As best seen inFIG. 1, cooperating releasable fasteners 46 and 48 are provided on theabsorbent side 42 of the major panel 40 and the inner surface of the toppanel 31, respectively, to facilitate attachment of the major panel 40to the upper sheet 30 in a manner which prevents unwanted traveling orbunching up of the major panel 40 below the upper sheet 30 due tomovement of the person lying on the bed or crib mattress.

[0037] In another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3b, the moisture proofmajor panel 40 is permanently sewn to the top panel 31, on the underside34. In this instance, the major panel 40 may be stitched or otherwiseattached to the inner surface 34 of the top panel 31 or, alternatively,sandwiched between two sheet layers making up the top panel 31 andstitched or otherwise secured in place.

[0038] In either embodiment, as described above, when it is necessary tochange the upper sheet 30, both the upper sheet 30 and major panel 40are removed from the mattress and lower sheet 20 by unfastening thecooperating fasteners 25, 37. The major panel 40 may then be launderedalong with the upper sheet 30 or, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 a, ifthe major panel 40 has not been soiled it can be simply replaced on thetop 102 of the mattress 100 for subsequent attachment to the innersurface 34 of the top panel 31 once the upper sheet 30 has been washedand dried.

[0039] In a further embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lowersheet 20 is provided with releasable fasteners 50 on the bottom outersurface 23. A minor panel 60, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for covering aportion of the upper sheet 30 is shown with corresponding fastenerelements 62 for releasably connecting to the fastener elements 50 on thebottom of the lower sheet 20. The minor panel 60 is waterproof with anabsorbent layer sandwiched between opposing fabric panels which may beformed of cotton, synthetic or other conventional bed linen materials.Alternatively, the minor panel 60 may be made of a combination of anabsorbent fabric on the top with a liquid impervious film backing on thebottom side. The minor panel 60 is intended to protect a remainder ofthe bed sheet set 10, including the upper sheet 30, major panel 40 (ifused) and lower sheet 20, as well as the mattress 100, from liquiddischarges, such as drooling, nasal discharges or beverage spills (e.g.leaking nursing bottles). The minor panel 60 may be of varying sizes tocover different portions of the top panel 31 of the upper sheet 30 inaccordance with the particular needs of the user. The minor panel 60helps to reduce the number of required bed linen changes and laundering,by protecting the remainder of the bed sheet set 10. When the minorpanel 60 becomes soiled, it can be simply removed, by unfastening thecooperating fasteners 50, 62 on the underside of the lower sheet 20,below the mattress, and removing the minor panel 60 from the bed sheetset 10 and mattress 100. The minor panel 60 can then be convenientlylaundered and replaced as needed. Further, the use of the minor panel 60will allow the caregiver or the user to remove only the soiled minorpanel portion of the bed sheet set 10 and replace it with another cleanminor panel quickly and easily without disrupting the remainder of thebed sheet set 10 and mattress.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, yet a further embodiment of the bedsheet set 10 is shown wherein the lower sheet 20′ and upper sheet 30′are permanently joined together in the form of a casing 70 a which issized, structured and configured to enclose the mattress 100. A flapportion 72 of the casing 70 a unfolds to reveal an opening 74 whichallows the end of the mattress to be slid within the interior of the bedsheet casing 70 a. The casing 70 a can then be pulled over and aroundthe sides of the mattress 100 so that the mattress is completely tuckedwithin the casing 70 a defined by the combined lower and upper sheets20′, 30′, respectively. The flap 72 can then be closed and secured withcooperating fasteners 76, 78, such as hook and loop fasteners, tocompletely encapsulate the mattress within the bed sheet enclosure. Inthis particular embodiment, the moisture proof major panel 40 may beused, as desired, and may be provided as an independent component, asshown and described in connection with FIGS. 1-3 a, or, alternatively,the major panel 40 may be permanently stitched or otherwise attached tothe inner side of the upper sheet 30′.

[0041]FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the bed sheet enclosure 70 bdefined by the combined lower sheet 20′ and upper sheet 30′ which arepermanently secured together as an integral one-piece component, similarto the embodiment of FIGS. 6-7. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the flap 72is located at the end of the bed sheet enclosure, partially extendingdown the end sidewall 24′, thereby providing a convenient opening 74when the flap 72 is unfolded. This allows the bed sheet enclosure 70 bto be slipped over the end of the mattress 100 and pulled along thelength of the mattress so that the mattress is tucked and secured inenclosed relation within the bed sheet enclosure. The flap 72 can thenbe secured closed, using the cooperating releasable fasteners 76, 78, inthe same general manner as described in connection with the embodimentof FIGS. 6-7. Again, the major panel 40 may be provided as a separatecomponent and inserted between the upper sheet 30′ and mattress 100, or,alternatively, the major panel 40 may be permanently stitched orotherwise secured under the inner side of the upper sheet 30′ in themanner as described in the previous embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 b.

[0042] The instant invention provides a method of safely securing a bedsheet set to a mattress while allowing for quick changing of the bedsheets for laundering as necessary comprising the steps of:

[0043] (a) providing the set of bed sheets with an absorbent porouslower sheet having an attached continuous fastener;

[0044] (b) securing the lower sheet about a mattress such that thefastener is disposed about the perimeter of the mattress;

[0045] (c) providing the bed sheet set with an absorbent porous uppersheet having a first attached continuous fastener;

[0046] (d) providing a moisture proof panel sized, structured andconfigured to cover at least a portion of the area of the top of themattress;

[0047] (e) releasably securing the continuous fastener on the lowersheet to the continuous fastener on the upper sheet to enclose themattress therein;

[0048] (f) selectively placing the moisture proof major panel betweenthe upper sheet and the top of the mattress; and

[0049] (g) removing the upper sheet and the major panel from themattress and the lower sheet by unfastening the cooperating continuousfasteners on the upper sheet and the lower sheet, thereby allowing theupper sheet and/or the major panel to be laundered and replaced whilethe lower sheet and mattress remain stationery, in place andundisturbed.

[0050] Further, the instant invention provides a method of changing theair permeability of a set of bed sheets during use comprising the stepsrecited above, wherein the air permeability of the bed sheet set can bechanged by selectively removing or inserting the moisture proof majorpanel between the upper sheet 30 and the mattress 100.

[0051] The invention further provides a method of extending the periodof time between changes of a set of bed sheets comprising the steps of:

[0052] (a) providing the set with an absorbent porous lower sheet havingan attached continuous fastener and a third attached fastener;

[0053] (b) securing the lower sheet about a mattress such that thefastener is disposed about the perimeter of the mattress;

[0054] (c) providing the set with an absorbent porous upper sheet havinga first attached continuous fastener and a second attached fastener;

[0055] (d) releasably securing the continuous fastener on the lowersheet to the first continuous fastener on the upper sheet to enclose themattress in encapsulated relation between the lower sheet and uppersheet;

[0056] (e) providing the bed sheet set with a waterproof major panel anda plurality of waterproof minor panels each having discreet edges and afastener attached about their edges;

[0057] (f) selectively placing the major panel between the upper sheetand the top of the mattress and releasably securing a fastener on thewaterproof major panel with the second fastener on the upper sheet;

[0058] (g) providing the bed sheet set with a plurality of minorwaterproof panels each having a releasable fastener;

[0059] (h) releasably securing a fastener on one of the minor panels tothe third attached fastener of the lower sheet with the minor panelextending over and covering a portion of the upper sheet;

[0060] (i) detaching one of the plurality of minor panels from the lowersheet while retaining the upper and lower sheets on the mattress; and

[0061] (j) releasably securing the fastener of another of the pluralityof minor panels to the third fastener of the lower sheet so that theminor panel extends over and covers the upper sheet, thereby extendingthe time between changes of the upper and lower sheet components of thebed sheet set.

[0062] While the instant invention has been shown and described inaccordance with various preferred and practical embodiments thereof, itis recognized that departures from the instant disclosure arecontemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which,therefore, should not be limited except as defined in the followingclaims as interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A set of bed sheets for application to a mattresshaving a top, a bottom and sidewalls, said set of bed sheets comprising:a lower sheet including a main bottom panel having an outer surface andan inner surface and said lower sheet being sized, structured andconfigured to encompass and cover the bottom of the mattress and atleast a portion of the sidewalls thereof, and said lower sheet includinga peripheral edge zone; an upper sheet including a main top panel havingan outer surface and an inner surface, said upper sheet being sized,structured and configured to encompass and cover the top of the mattressand said upper sheet including a peripheral edge zone; said lower sheetand said upper sheet each including an element of a cooperatingreleasable fastener along said respective peripheral edge zones, andsaid upper and lower sheets being structured and disposed to enclose themattress with said element of said cooperating releasable fastener onsaid lower sheet engaged with said element of said cooperatingreleasable fastener on said upper sheet; and a moisture proof majorpanel adapted for positioning between the top of the mattress and saidupper sheet, and said moisture proof major panel being sized, structuredand configured to cover at least a portion of a total area of the top ofthe mattress.
 2. The set of bed sheets as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid moisture proof major panel comprises an absorbent side and awaterproof side, said absorbent side of said moisture proof major panelfacing said inner surface of said main top panel and said waterproofside of said moisture proof major panel facing the top of the mattresswhen said moisture proof major panel is positioned between said uppersheet and the mattress.
 3. The set of bed sheets as recited in claim 2further comprising: second elements of a releasable fastener on saidinner surface of said main top panel; and cooperating second elements ofa releasable fastener on said moisture proof major panel for releasableattachment with said second elements of said releasable fastener on saidinner surface of said main top panel, whereby said upper sheet and saidmoisture proof major panel may be selectively attached.
 4. The set ofbed sheets as recited in claim 2 wherein said moisture proof major panelis fixedly attached to said upper sheet.
 5. The set of bed sheets asrecited in claim 1 wherein said upper sheet includes a flap extendingfrom said peripheral edge zone for covering said element of saidcooperating releasable fastener.
 6. The set of bed sheets as recited inclaim 1 further comprising: at least one moisture proof minor panelsized, structured and configured to cover at least a portion of saidmain top panel of said upper sheet; and cooperating third elements of areleasable fastener on said lower sheet; cooperating third elements of areleasable fastener on said at least one moisture proof minor panel forreleasable attachment to said cooperating third elements of a releasablefastener on said lower sheet, whereby said at least one moisture proofminor panel can be releasably attached to said lower sheet and extendedover the mattress to cover a portion of said main top panel of saidupper sheet and further wherein said at least one moisture proof minorpanel can be removed from covering position over said main top panel anddetached from said lower sheet without disturbing said upper sheet andsaid lower sheet.
 7. A set of bed sheets for application to a mattresshaving a top, a bottom and sidewalls, said set of bed sheets comprising:a lower sheet sized, structured and configured to cover the bottom ofthe mattress and including a first contiguous edge extending about thesidewalls of the mattress; a first separable fastener disposed aboutsaid first continuous edge; an upper sheet sized, structured andconfigured to cover the top of the mattress and including a secondcontinuous edge; a second separable fastener disposed about said secondcontinuous edge of said upper sheet; said first and second separablefasteners structured and disposed to be removably attached to securesaid upper sheet to said lower sheet so that said upper sheet and saidlower sheet enclose the mattress; a flap extending from said continuousedge of said upper sheet, said flap being structured and disposed tooverly said second separable fastener of said upper sheet; a thirdseparable fastener on said lower sheet; at least one minor panelstructured and disposed to overly and cover a portion of said uppersheet; a fourth separable fastener on said minor panel structured anddisposed to releasably engage said third separable fastener on saidlower sheet; and said at least one minor panel including a layer ofliquid impervious material, whereby said at least one minor panel may beselectively and releasably attached to said lower sheet to cover andprotect a portion of said upper sheet and wherein said at least oneminor panel may be releasably attached and removed without disturbingsaid upper and lower sheets.
 8. The set of bed sheets as recited inclaim 7 wherein said first separable fastener on said lower sheet, saidsecond separable fastener on said upper sheet, said third separablefastener on said lower sheet and said fourth separable fastener on saidat least one minor panel are selected from the group consisting ofcooperating zippers, buttons and buttonholes, male and female snaps,mutually cohesive materials and hook and loop type fasteners.
 9. A setof bed sheets for application to a mattress having a top, a bottom andsidewalls, said set of bed sheets comprising: a lower sheet including amain bottom panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and saidlower sheet being sized, structured and configured to encompass andcover the bottom of the mattress and at least a portion of the sidewallsthereof; an upper sheet including a main top panel having an outersurface and an inner surface, said upper sheet being sized, structuredand configured to encompass and cover the top of the mattress; saidlower sheet and said upper sheet, in conjunction, being structured anddisposed to enclose the entire mattress; and a moisture proof majorpanel adapted for positioning between the top of the mattress and saidupper sheet, and said moisture proof panel being sized, structured andconfigured to cover at least a portion of a total area of the top of themattress.
 10. The set of bed sheets as recited in claim 9 wherein saidmoisture proof major panel comprises an absorbent side and a waterproofside, said absorbent side of said moisture proof panel facing said innersurface of said main top panel and said waterproof side of said moistureproof major panel facing the top of the mattress when said moistureproof major panel is positioned between said upper sheet and themattress.
 11. The set of bed sheets as recited in claim 10 furthercomprising: elements of a releasable fastener on said inner surface ofsaid main top panel of said upper sheet; and cooperating elements of areleasable fastener on said moisture proof major panel for releasableattachment with said elements of said releasable fastener on said innersurface of said main top panel, whereby said upper sheet and saidmoisture proof major panel may be selectively attached with saidmoisture proof major panel positioned between said upper sheet and thetop of the mattress.
 12. The set of bed sheets as recited in claim 10wherein said moisture proof major panel is fixedly attached to saidupper sheet.
 13. The set of bed sheets as recited in claim 9 furthercomprising: at least one moisture proof minor panel sized, structuredand configured to cover at least a portion of said main top panel ofsaid upper sheet; elements of a releasable fastener on said lower sheet;and cooperating elements of a releasable fastener on said at least onemoisture proof minor panel for releasable attachment to said elements ofsaid releasable fastener on said lower sheet, whereby said at least onemoisture proof minor panel can be selectively attached to said lowersheet and extended over the mattress to cover a portion of said main toppanel of said upper sheet and further wherein said at least one moistureproof minor panel can be removed from covering position over said maintop panel and detached from said lower sheet without disturbing saidupper sheet, said lower sheet and the mattress.
 14. A set of bed sheetsfor covering and enclosing a mattress and comprising: an upper sheet; alower sheet; said upper sheet and said lower sheet each havingperiphery, said periphery of said upper sheet and said periphery of saidlower sheet having cooperating elements of a releasable fastener adaptedto releasable fasten said upper sheet to said lower sheet about saidperipheries of said upper and lower sheets to enclose the mattress; saidlower sheet including a second cooperating releasable fastener; and atleast one minor panel having a second cooperating releasable fastenerstructured for releasable attachment to said second cooperatingreleasable fastener on said lower sheet, whereby said at least one minorpanel can be attached and removed to said lower sheet so that said atleast one minor panel covers at least a portion of said upper sheetwithout removing or disturbing said upper sheet or said lower sheet, andfurther wherein said upper sheet and said at least one minor panel,respectively, may be removed and changed without removing or disturbingsaid lower sheet.
 15. The set of bed sheets as recited in claim 14wherein said at least one minor panel is moisture proof.
 16. The set ofbed sheets as recited in claim 15 wherein said at least one minor panelincludes an absorbent surface and a moisture proof layer.
 17. The set ofbed sheets as recited in claim 16 wherein said lower sheet includes aninner surface and an outer bottom surface, and said second element ofsaid releasable cooperating fastener being attached to said bottomsurface.
 18. The set of bed sheets as recited in claim 14 furthercomprising: an element of a third cooperating releasable fastener onsaid upper sheet; a major panel with a continuous edge, said major panelhaving an element of said third cooperating releasable fastener nearsaid edge; said major panel releasably connected to said upper sheet bysaid third cooperating releasable fastener, whereby said major panel maybe removed without removing said upper sheet or said lower sheet or saidat least one minor panel.